Audio Switcher will help you with the following task: easily switch from one audio device (playback or recording device) to another. Now, you could always use the Control Panel to perform this task. But the simple truth of the matter is that using Audio Switcher is more convenient. You can switch by right clicking the Audio Switcher icon in the system tray, by using the Audio Switcher interface, or by using hotkeys (you will have to assign them first).

Audio Switcher does not have to be installed. To get started with this application, you need only run an executable. Since you don’t have to install Audio Switcher, you can put it on a portable storage device and take it with you. This is where I have to tell you that Audio Switcher, at the time of writing, supports Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. It’s also where I tell you that Audio Switcher needs .NET Framework 4.0 or newer to run.

Audio Switcher has a tabbed interface. You will find the following tabs on the application’s interface: Playback – lists all your playback audio devices. There’s a dropdown menu in the lower right hand corner that, among other options, allows you to set a device as the default. Recording – it’s just like the Playback tab, but it lists recording audio devices. Settings – set it so Audio Switcher closes to the system tray, set it so Audio Switcher automatically runs at startup, play with several other settings that dictate how Audio Switcher works. Hotkeys – add hotkeys, manage a list of hotkeys. About – a link to Sean Chapman’s Twitter, an invitation to make a donation, a link to Audio Switcher’s webpage, and more.

You could set it so Audio Switcher automatically runs at startup and closes to the system tray. This means that Audio Switcher will launch when you boot up your PC and will stay in the system tray as you go about your day. Right click the system tray icon and you’ll be able to switch from one audio device to another. Or better yet, you could assign hotkeys to your audio devices and then switch from one device to another by using said hotkeys.

Audio Switcher is free and open source software. If you find it useful, show your support and make a donation.

There’s much to like about Audio Switcher. It is free and open source, it is portable, it allows you to very, very easily switch from one audio device to another.

Pros Audio Switcher does not have to be installed; you only need to run an executable to get started with it. Audio Switcher has a very simple interface. Switch from one audio device to another by using Audio Switcher’s interface, the Audio Switcher icon on the system tray, or by using a hotkey. Audio Switcher is free and open source (donations are welcome).